The Pride of Baltimore II - The Ship that Inspired a Watch

The Pride of Baltimore II is an authentic Baltimore Clipper ship that serves as a goodwill ambassador for the city of Baltimore.  She is 100-feet long on the deck and has a beam of just over 26 feet.  A top-sail schooner she can spread just over 9000 square feet of sail.  That's the equivalent sail to 41 Flying Scot sail boats.

The Pride of Baltimore II - Photo by Tony Hisgett from Birmingham, UK (Pride of Balitmore II  Uploaded by tm) [CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

The original Pride of Baltimore was launched in 1977 as part of the city's inner harbor renaissance.  She served as the city's ambassador for 9 years until she was lost in a squall along with her captain and three crew members.  Citizens of the city started sending donations shortly after the tragedy and a movement to build a new ship gained momentum.  The Pride of Baltimore II was launched in 1988.  While it remained true to the design of Baltimore clipper ships, it also incorporated more modern safety features.

The Pride of Baltimore II, on the Chester River, Chestertown MD, By Diiscool (Own work) [CC0 or CC0], via Wikimedia Commons

I briefly visited aboard the Pride of Baltimore at the Annapolis Boat Show many, many, years ago and she is a truly beautiful vessel.  The hardwoods used to build her are amazing as is the workmanship that went into her construction.

The Wheel and Binnacle - photo by Diiscool (Own work) [CC0 or CC0], via Wikimedia Commons

The Pride of Baltimore II is truly a ship to be proud of and an amazing ambassador for the city of Baltimore.

The Pride of Baltimore's Bell - photo by Diiscool (Own work) [CC0 or CC0], via Wikimedia Commons

The Pride of Baltimore II also inspired the Towson Watch Company to create a watch with her name.  The Towson Watch Company's Pride of Baltimore II was recently chosen as iW Magazine's Watch of the Day. 

For more information on the Towson Watch Company check out there website - https://www.towsonwatchcompany.com/